For many generations, Lu Xun’s family had been extremely powerful
in the land of Jiang Dong (2). At the age of twenty-one,
Lu Xun entered the service of Sun Quan. His brilliance earned him position as Senior Civil
Advisor, Commander of Farming at Hai Chang and Commandant Who Establishes Our Prestige.

Lu Xun advised Sun Quan to pacify the revolt of the Shan Yue people in
the south and was appointed Commander of the Right to do so. Boyan’s first military
assignment was a great success and Sun Quan held him in high regard.

When Lü Meng was assigned to take back Jing Zhou from Guan Yu, Lu
Xun was assigned as field advisor (3). Lu Xun knew exactly
how to trick the proud Guan Yu into underestimating him and together with Lü Meng annihilated
Guan Yu’s forces and conquered Nan Jun.

Boyan was then appointed General of the Border Guard and titled Lord of
Huating. In the year AD 222, as the Great Commander-in-Chief,
Lu Xun commanded the Wu army in Jing Zhou to withstand Liu Bei’s main army. Though
Wu’s officers were
worried, Lu Xun’s character stood firm and he explained to his men how to win the
battle, even with inferior numbers (4). Boyan’s
strategy was a success and delivered a crushing defeat to the Shu Emperor.

In that same year, Lu Xun repelled the invasion of Wei and was honored
by Sun Quan as General Who Upholds the State, Lord of Jiangling and Protector of Jing Zhou.

When Zhou Fang initiated his plot to lure Wei into entering Wu, Lu Xun
was appointed Great General Who Upholds the State and Great Commander-in-Chief Who Pacifies
the North by Sun Quan and led his armies against Cao Xiu.

After Sun Quan ascended the throne and became Wu Emperor, Lu Boyan was
appointed as Senior General, with the order to defend the capital Wuchang and aid Sun Quan’s
heir.

Sun Quan had a great trust in Lu Xun and respected his wisdom. Boyan kept
all the important seals of the state, so that all documents had to be handed onto Lu Xun
to be read and sealed (5). In the year 244 A.D., Lu Xun
was appointed Prime Minister of Wu. His reign as Prime Minister was very short as he died
in the next year. Sun Quan titled him Impressive Lord Posthumously.

(1) Lu Xun’s original personal name was Yi (議).
Usually officers would change their name after reaching a certain level of nobility. Perhaps
Lu Xun changed his name before entering Sun Quan’s service, which is possible due
to his family’s influence. <return>

(2) According to SGZ, both Sun Jian and
Sun Ce had encounters with Lu Xun’s great-uncle Lu Kang. Since both families were
from Wu Commandery, they were obviously well acquainted with each other. At one point, Sun
Jian aided Lu Kang when his county was under siege by rebel. Later when Sun Ce was attacking
Lu Jiang on Yuan Shu’s orders, he fought against Lu Kang. Lu Xun’s service for
the Wu Empire suggests that the two families did not hold any grudges. <return>

(3) Though the book mentions Liu Bei instead of Guan Yu I have used Guan’s
name because he was in charge of Jing Zhou and caused the political fraction with Wu by
refusing a marriage proposal from the Sun family. <return>

(4) In SGYY, Lu Xun’s argument
with the Wu officers can be found in full detail, proving his level headed and cautious
attitude. <return>

(5) An Emperor could only delegate this task when he had complete trust in
his Prime Minister, as it would authorize the Prime Minister to confirm plans without the
Emperor present. <return>